Overview

The ATH-DSR9BT over-ear wireless headphones employ Audio-Technica’s new Pure Digital Drive system, which allows the headphones to operate without a sound-degrading D/A converter that conventional wireless headphones rely upon. Instead, the ATH-DSR9BT utilizes Trigence Semiconductor’s Dnote chipset to receive the digital audio signal from a Bluetooth wireless transmission, process and transfer it to the driver where the digital pulses of the chipset move the voice coil and diaphragm forward and backward to create the sound waves heard by the listener.

The Pure Digital Drive system likewise depends on a re-engineered 45 mm True Motion Driver, which features a lightweight diaphragm with DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating for superlative fidelity and extended 5 Hz – 45,000 Hz frequency response. The driver’s 4-core twisted OFC-7N voice coil provides precise control of the diaphragm displacement, and an acoustic resistor controls the airflow in front of and behind the diaphragm to ensure smooth, natural audio reproduction across the entire frequency range. The entire driver assembly is housed within a layered aluminum structure that minimizes unwanted resonance and isolates the electric circuitry from the housing’s acoustic space, resulting in optimal phase and transient response.

The Pure Digital Drive system also enables the ATH-DSR9BT to overcome the sonic limitations of conventional Bluetooth wireless transmissions by supporting the 24-bit/48kHz Qualcomm® aptX™ HD codec. (aptX, AAC and SBC codecs are also supported.) The headphones can reproduce Hi-Res Audio when connected to a computer or other digital playback device via the included 2.0 m (6.6') USB cable.

The ATH-DSR9BT is equipped with a microphone, volume control and simple tap control for answering/ending calls and playing/pausing music on a smartphone or other device. Three LED indicators allow you to easily monitor pairing and charging status, battery level, and the codec currently in use. The headphones’ internal lithium polymer battery provides approximately 15 hours of continuous use (up to 1000 hours in standby mode) and can be recharged using the included USB cable.

About High-Resolution AudioIn Brief: The Move to Hi-Res Audio
While many listeners may believe that high-resolution audio came along with the introduction of the Compact Disc in 1982, constraints on the disc’s storage space always prevented CD audio (standardized at 44.1 kHz/16-bit) from fully and completely reproducing the original recorded sound. The advent and subsequent popularity of MP3s only made this problem more pronounced – the necessary compression of these files causes audio information to be lost, thus greatly reducing the audio quality. But with lossless audio file formats, faster Internet speeds, and storage space increasingly easy to come by (and in ever-smaller packages), the push is on to create audio equipment capable of capturing and reproducing true Hi-Res Audio, generally considered to be 96 kHz/24-bit or better. The Hi-Res Audio logo certifies that a product meets the Hi-Res Audio standards. Per these standards, headphones must have transducer frequency performance to at least 40 kHz. As a producer of these types of audiophile headphones since 1972, Audio-Technica is well-positioned to provide audio solutions that meet the demands of Hi-Res Audio media formats, allowing for the full reproduction of their extended sonic characteristics.

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Reviews

You bet I would. GREAT headphones!

5

Ok, this is my VERY FIRST Audio Technica review of their product. Plus, I think it also sets a personal record for me as the most expensive set of headphones I have ever bought. First off, let me say. I LOVE Audio Technica. You guys put out quality product. Now, for my review. When, I first seen these I thought "Who would spend this kind of money on headphones" then, I found myself doing just that. I anticipated its arrival. Then, it came. The money I spent on these things also included the wonderful feeling of opening it brand new. Its packaging is extremely attractive. Layers of beauty, until you finally get to the glorious silverish gray climax that is the headphones themselves.
Pairing:
The Pairing to my PC was rather simple. I was excited to see how they would do with the bluetooth.
USB Cable:
Before I did that, I was anxious to hear how they sounded with the USB cable hooked up to my computer. The set up was easy, and when I heard the music. I was blown away. I LOVE these headphones for this alone.
Bluetooth Connection:
Here is where we start to see a bit of a downfall. I do not own a cell phone. So, nearly all of my music listening will be on my PC. there are times when I will prefer the wireless option. Now, I am not all that familiar with bluetooth honestly. Only about the codecs. My computer is a few years old, so I suppose I have a lesser codec then what these headphones are designed for. Honestly, it sounds like an AM radio station coming in. Now, I could be doing something wrong, I don't know. It could just be me. I am chalking it up to my hardware being outdated as compared to the fiercely modern DSR9BT. But, incase I am wrong If a tech support person is reading this. Can you give me some pointers please to help fix this? Besides that. These headphones lived up to what I read about them, and Audio Technica for me is a great company, with find good products. :)

Ace London

Prestonsburg, Kentucky

2018-02-23

true

Great audio characteristics, not so great build quality

4

I can clearly see where the budget went in the development of these headphones. What you are paying for here is the technology in the headphones, and I'm definitely very pleased by how effective the DACless process is at creating clean sound with a relatively wide and deep soundstage. The problem here is that much less attention was paid to the fit and finish, and it's very obvious when in active use. The plastic creaks at every movement of your head, the buttons rattle in the sliding mechanism, the pads don't seal very well against ambient noise. It's a little disappointing, but understandable. I'm not sure just how liable to breakage these headphones will be over daily use, I suppose I'll have to find out.

Sean

Anaheim, CA

2018-01-29

true

I love to hear them and I don't want to stop

5

I love them since I first hear them. The sound quality is so, so good and they are very comfortable to wear. Those are main reason to buy them. BUT if You are looking for everyday (a lot of commute) headphones those are NOT the one's that You are looking for. DSR9BT are for office/home use (more static than travel and commute). You can connect them to computer or iPhone using USB cable (for iPhone I use "Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter") but it is so uncomfortable... cable is very stiff and long and heavy.... terrible. You can not use them for calls (mic is terrible) and they are quite heavy (so they are impossible to wear during work-outs).
But.... this is all no big deal if You love the sound they produce. I try convince myself to DSR7BT (cheaper and smaller), Sony MDR-ZX770bn, Bowers&Wilkins PX, Marshall Major II as a alternative, but every time I sendup with DSR9BT on my head... again. So If You do not won't to buy them, don't try to listen to them at all. Avoid them while you can... ;-)

Marcin

Warsaw

2018-01-28

true

So close

4

I'm so conflicted with these headphones. The sound is extraordinarily sweet and clean. Stereo separation accurately reflects the mix with no weird enhancements. Instrument and voice definition is is very good - enough to clearly discern individual parts in complex vocal layering.
Bass response is great, because it's real. These do not boost bass - they accurately reproduce it with excellent balance without muddying up the mids. If your personal style is heavy bass no worries, you can bump it up with your EQ (that's what it's for) and these will perform well. With no EQ though, my ear interprets them as nicely transparent.
Over the last 45 days I've done very active 2-week trials on ATH-DSR9BT, B&O BeoPlay H8, Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, Sennheiser Momentum 2 and Bowers & Wilkins P7. These ATH's are the most well-balanced, realistic, true tone and are the most Bluetooth-stable headphones I've tried.
But then there's the microphone. The vast majority of folks who buy BT headphones use them if not exclusively, then more often than not with phones and tablets and as such, realistically expect to take periodic if not frequent phone calls. Unfortunately for them, the microphone on the DSR9BT's is -- and I do not say this lightly -- unusable in any way. The gain is so weak that even with mic gain cranked on max on my 2016 MacBook Pro, no one can hear a fraction of what I say. In this way they're the worst by a broad margin of all the phones I've tried out.
I may keep these just because they sound so nice. So nice. But if you need make phone calls with them, spare yourself the pain. I can't even say that they'll disappoint you. They won't even show up for the race.
Annoying flaws that aren't show stoppers: Touch-sensitive play/pause/call button is right under your finger when you use the mechanical volume control. Pairing is weird. You can only connect them to one device at a time (BUT if this is the price for BT stability, it's OK by me)

Dougji

Colorado

2017-08-18

true

For the money, they are not that great

3

Cannot paired to multiple devices, i have to disconect the other, my monster roc and bose quiet comfort 35 have a big lead over these headphones, cannot used my own micro usb cables, the one provided is cheap, long waiting for these to buy, to only be dissapointed and these are going back and get my money back, i'll stick with my monster roc and bose. First time and sure last time i buy an audio technica product

Gladiator

Portland, Oregon

2017-05-31

false

Great first use of this technology

5

Fantastic DAC free sound. I've used many high end headphones and these have great detail, soundstage and separation. Flat with just the right amount of bass and realistic treble.
I use a USB to C adaptor into my MacBook, BitPerfect with iTunes and upscale to 24/96. Great AAC sound over bluetooth with iPhone too.
Controls could be better, as could the cable connection to the headphones - waiting for the flexible cover to fall off.

SD

Palm Beach, FL

2017-04-11

true

Nice Cans

5

Got these while in Japan last month while looking for wireless headphones that could replace my B&W P7s that I lost (but were too small for my ears) and the B&O H9s that I had just returned since they hurt so much to wear (the headband KILLS!).
All in all, love these cans, they're the best I've had so far. Sound is crisp, deep, and powerful. Isolation is nice, even though there's no active noise cancellation. They're also super comfortable.
What I don't like:
- Why use a standard USB port but make the entrance so small that none but the supplied cable fits? I have a bunch of Anker kevlar cables throughout my house and office (both USB and lightning) so that I can plug in my devices wherever and not worry, but these cans don't work with them (or any of my other cables for that matter). So yet another cable that I have to manage :(
- Walking with the cans makes rattling noises since lots of the outer materials are chintzy. Specifically, the volume button rattles.
- The cans make squeaky noises from plastic rubbing on plastic when you move the ear cups.
- The controls are terrible. It's really hard to find the pause / unpause button since it's just a plastic window that responds to touch. The placement is super awkward. The cans have their own volume, separate from your device. Adjusting the volume on the cans does not adjust the volume on your device, so you have two places to turn up / down potentially. Pressing and holding volume up / down goes to previous / next track. No, I want to make it louder, not go to the next track, ugh!
- 0/5 calls were successful with the cans since the mics are terrible...thankfully I don't make many calls!
Overall, since for me comfort & sound quality are the most important thing, these are a total win. I can live with the other parts and realize that folks haven't made a perfect device yet. I wish that AT checked out the B&W P7 for example of how to do buttons...

Joshhaftel

San francisco, CA

2017-03-22

true

ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Over-Ear Headphones with Pure Digital Drive

4.47

85.7

Q & A

Can the headphone be charged without using a computer? Can they be charged using an electrical outlet?

Reggie

2018-12-21

Yes you may.

2019-01-03

Brent

Will these work with the PS4 as a headset?

robert

2018-12-18

The ATH-DSR9BT are not designed to be used with gaming consoles due to inherent latency in Bluetooth.

2019-01-03

Brent

Is there any way to set up sensivity of microphone? It's really set to low.

I am vegan and I am looking for high-quality, cruelty-free headphones without noise-reduction. Are the earpads and headband on the ATH-DSR9BT made of real leather?

michaelgill1969

2018-05-27

Thank you for your inquiry. No,they are not.

2018-06-14

AudioSolutionsManager

Does this model have high volume? My husband is severely hearing-impaired and needs high dB.
Thanks.
Linda

Linda

2018-03-19

The sensitivity is rated at 97dB and I would recommend you try them to see if they will best suit your needs. We also recommend not listening to audio at a high level which may further damaged hearing.

2018-03-20

ATUS_Specialist3

What are the noise cancelling capabilities? I work in a busy and often noisy environment where I can easily be distracted

Aidan

2018-03-12

The ATH-DSR9BT do not have active noise cancelling but rather use passive noise cancelling which is based on the clamping pressure of the headphones on your head.

2018-03-16

ATUS_Specialist3

Is there a USB C version of your proprietary cable? I tried a high quality USB Micro B to USB C and though the headphones would charge the headphones were not recognized as a sound option by my computer.

USB connections of the future.

2018-03-06

Thank you for your inquiry. At this time we do not offer a USB-C cable for our headphones.

2018-03-09

ATUS_Specialist4

The on/off switch on the headphones I purchased last week has a small bit of play in the action. Being made of hard plastic and connected to something made of hard plastic, this results in a tiny click in my right headphones when I move my head. Are my headphones defective or is this a design flaw in the product? If it's a design flaw I can mod it myself; I don't want to go back and forth with support shipping.

Gahlord

2018-02-10

Thank you for your inquiry. Please contact our Service Department at 330-686-2600 ext. 5003. They would be happy to help you.

2018-02-23

AudioSolutionsManager

Hi,
Since I would like to use the headphones in public transport, I'm interested in the passive isolation the headphones provide. My concrete question is: how much isolate them (in dB)? I cannot find that in the specifications.

Dominik Winter

2018-01-21

Thank you for your inquiry. We do not spec this because it not really a useful specification. Passive isolation is different at each frequency.